Solar-Terrestrial Science Strategy Workshop

The conclusions and recommendations reached at the Solar Terrestrial Science Strategy Workshop are summarized. The charter given to this diverse group was: (1) to establish the level of scientific understanding to be accomplished with the completion of the current and near term worldwide programs; (2) identify the significant scientific questions to be answered by future solar terrestrial programs, and the programs required to answer these questions; and (3) map out a program strategy, taking into consideration currently perceived space capabilities and constraints, to accomplish the identified program

AN ANALYSIS OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPOSTING BEHAVIOR AT THE HOUSEHOLD LEVEL

Drawing upon telephone survey data, a logit probability analysis was conducted to identify household characteristics as well as social and institutional factors associated with backyard composting of yard and food wastes. Highly significant predictors included household gardening, perception of effort required, peer influence, and a compost bin sale program.Consumer/Household Economics, Institutional and Behavioral Economics,

Factors Associated with Backyard Composting Behavior at the Household Level

Communities in most states are under pressure to reduce the amount of solid waste going into landfills. Many are making efforts to encourage their citizens to practice backyard composting. A logit regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with backyard composting of yard and food wastes in a case study area. Sample data were obtained through a September 1997 telephone survey of 865 households residing in single-family dwellings in Knox County, Tennessee. Findings indicate that a number of variables reflecting complementary behavior, attitudes, knowledge, and peer influence were significantly related to composting behavior. Policy implications of these findings are outlined.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Relation of weights of operatively excised stenotic aortic valves to preoperative transvalvular peak systolic pressure gradients and to calculated aortic valve areas

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to correlate the weights of operatively excised stenotic aortic valves to preoperative transvalvular peak systolic gradients and to calculated aortic valve areas.BackgroundNo previous publication has correlated the weights of stenotic aortic valves to the transvalvular gradients or to the calculated aortic valve areas.MethodsWe weighed operatively excised stenotic aortic valves in 324 adults who had undergone preoperative left-sided cardiac catheterization.ResultsAs the weights of the operatively excised stenotic aortic valves increased (from <1 g to >6 g), the average transvalvular peak systolic pressure gradients progressively increased. For any valve weight, in general, the women had higher average transvalvular gradients (p ≤ 0.005) and lower average valve areas (p ≤ 0.008) than did the men. Correlation between aortic valve weight and transvalvular gradient improved further when gender was taken into account.ConclusionsPreoperative transvalvular peak systolic pressure gradients across stenotic aortic valves correlate better with the weights of the operatively excised valves than do the calculated valve areas

Innovative Pedagogies for The Digital Age: Extending Higher Education Beyond the Walls of The University.

This paper details an explorative and experimental project that is seeking to better implement virtual technologies of Web 2.0 into the pedagogy of higher education. Our project endeavours to position these technologies as a means of reorienting pedagogic practice within higher education around truly chaordic communities of practice that serve to develop digital citizens. We have undertaken this project with the belief that higher education should be concerned with answering the calls of our increasing digital society; that is to say become a place for foster digitally literate learners, who’s learning is not restricted to physical boundaries of the university but rather happens at all times over physical and virtual spaces

Re-thinking Learning Communities: Using Google+ to invigorate the curriculum and engage learners

This paper details an explorative and experimental project based in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at Oxford Brookes University. It is an example of how a virtual space can be used to support and develop a strong and dynamic learning community in which staff and students work alongside to co-produce learning resources to enhance campus-based learning activities. It is likely to be of interest to colleagues who have experienced difficulties with student engagement in virtual learning environments, and those who are interested in developing more dynamic lecture programmes